Treatment FAQ

what is the treatment for high prolactin levels

by Stella Bailey Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Four Step System To Treat High Prolactin Levels

  1. Use Hormone Balancing Supplements. Certain Supplements are prone to help to balance the hormonal system. ...
  2. Cleanse Your Body. Your body contains lots of toxins and chemicals. ...
  3. Lifestyle Changes. What do I mean by lifestyle changes? ...
  4. Stress Relief Measures. ...

Dopamine agonists such as bromocriptine (Parlodel and Cycloset) are the most common treatment for high levels of prolactin. These medications help the brain produce dopamine to control high prolactin levels. They can also shrink prolactinoma tumors. Your doctor may recommend that you take cabergoline.

Full Answer

What foods decrease prolactin levels?

Vitamin Zinc rich Fruits (Foods)

  • Spinach
  • Shellfish
  • Beef
  • Squash Seeds
  • Cashews

How to reduce prolactin medically and naturally?

  • Improve thyroid function
  • Lower cholesterol naturally
  • Reduce anxiety and depression
  • Fight brain cell degeneration
  • Stabilize blood sugar and insulin levels
  • Support adrenal functions

How to change my diet to lower prolactin?

There are other steps to lower the prolactin level:

  • Try to reduce your stress level. Keep your body and mind relax. ...
  • Change your diet plan. Include healthy foods or consult a dietitian for further help.
  • Do not force your body to do high-intensity activities and workouts. Switching to yoga is a great option. ...
  • Say goodbye to tight-fitting push-up bras. Switch to lightly padded ones or only a cotton bra. ...

What else can cause elevated prolactin levels?

Other potential causes of elevated prolactin levels include: If you are taking any medicine that affects the production of dopamine, it can have an effect on prolactin production. This means that medicines used to treat mental health conditions, high blood pressure, and pain relievers can all affect your prolactin levels.

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Is High prolactin can be cured?

Prolactinomas can usually be treated successfully with medication alone. Medication lowers the prolactin level in the blood substantially, often to normal, and also usually reduces adenoma size.

What medication is used to lower prolactin levels?

There are two oral medications used to treat high prolactin levels:Bromocriptine (Parlodel)Cabergoline (Dostinex)

What are the side effects of high prolactin levels?

Symptoms of High Prolactin LevelsInfertility, or inability to get pregnant.Breast milk leakage in people who aren't nursing.Absent periods, infrequent periods, or irregular periods.Loss of interest in sex.Painful or uncomfortable intercourse.Vaginal dryness.Acne.Hirsutism , excess body and facial hair growth.More items...•

How do doctors treat high prolactin levels?

Medicines. Medicines called dopamine agonists control prolactin levels and shrink the tumor very effectively. These drugs mimic the effects of the brain chemical dopamine. Cabergoline is the preferred drug for treating prolactinomas, because it is more effective than bromocriptine and has fewer side effects.

How long does it take to treat high prolactin level?

The levels typically return to normal within 2–3 weeks after birth in nonlactating people and within 6 months postpartum in those who are lactating. If the levels are higher or lower than the expected level can indicate a problem.

What is the main cause of high prolactin?

Hyperprolactinemia means you have higher-than-normal levels of prolactin in your blood. The most common cause is a prolactinoma, a benign (noncancerous) tumor in your pituitary gland. Certain health conditions and medications can also cause hyperprolactinemia.

What is the natural treatment for prolactin?

Treatment for high prolactin levelschanging your diet and keeping your stress levels down.stopping high-intensity workouts or activities that overwhelm you.avoiding clothing that makes your chest uncomfortable.avoiding activities and clothing that overstimulate your nipples.taking vitamin B-6 and vitamin E supplements.

Should I be worried about high prolactin levels?

Excess prolactin can cause the production of breast milk in men and in women who are not pregnant or breastfeeding. In women, too much prolactin can also cause menstrual problems and infertility (the inability to get pregnant). In men, it can lead to lower sex drive and erectile dysfunction (ED).

What happens if a pituitary tumor goes untreated?

Most pituitary tumors are curable, but if left untreated, they can lead to serious complications such as complete vision loss.

What happens if high prolactin is not treated?

Too much prolactin reduces the production of the hormones estrogen and testosterone. Too much prolactin also can prevent the release of an egg during the menstrual cycle (anovulation) in females. In males, too much prolactin also can lead to decreased sperm production. Bone loss (osteoporosis).

Can prolactin go away on its own?

A prolactinoma won't go away on its own without treatment. Long-term medication can shrink the tumor until it's gone. However, it's important to note that prolactinomas can come back, even after successful treatment with medication or surgery.

Does high prolactin always mean tumor?

High levels of prolactin found in tests repeated several times on different days associated with a shrinkage in the size of the tumor usually confirm the diagnosis. However, prolactin levels usually correlate with tumor size, hence microadenomas may be associated with moderate levels of prolactin.

What drugs are used to treat prolactin?

Commonly prescribed medications include bromocriptine (Cycloset, Parlodel) and cabergoline. These drugs decrease prolactin production and may shrink the tumor in most people with prolactinoma.

What tests can detect prolactin?

Blood tests. Blood tests can detect the overproduction of prolactin and whether levels of other hormones controlled by the pituitary are within the normal range. Women of childbearing age also will have a pregnancy test. Brain imaging.

What happens to prolactin levels after surgery?

The outcome of surgery depends on the size and location of the tumor and your prolactin levels before surgery, as well as the skill of the surgeon. The higher the prolactin level, the slimmer the chance that prolactin production will return to normal after surgery.

How to treat pituitary tumor?

Improve quality of life. Prolactinoma treatment consists of two main therapies: medications and surgery.

Can you have surgery to remove a prolactinoma?

Surgery to remove the tumor is generally an option if drug therapy for prolactinoma doesn't work or you can't tolerate the medication . Surgery may be necessary to relieve pressure on the nerves that control your vision. The type of surgery you have will depend largely on the size and extent of your tumor: Nasal surgery.

Can you restart a prolactinoma?

However, if you have a large prolactinoma or you develop signs and symptoms such as headaches or vision changes, your doctor may recommend that you restart your medication to prevent complications from prolactinoma.

Can prolactin be tapered off?

Some people may develop compulsive behaviors, such as gambling, while taking these medications. If medication shrinks the tumor significantly and your prolactin level remains normal for two years, you may be able to taper off the medication with your doctor's guidance. However, recurrence is common.

What is the best treatment for hyperprolactinemia?

There are a number of standard options to achieve this: 2. The medications Parlodel (bromocriptine) and Dostinex (cabergoline) are known to be effective in reducing prolactin levels and shrinking pituitary tumors.

Why is prolactin elevated?

Prolactin levels may be elevated for any number of reasons. One of the more common causes is the formation of a benign tumor on the pituitary gland. This noncancerous growth, known as a prolactinoma, directly secretes excessive prolactin while decreasing the levels of other sex hormones. 1.

How do you know if you have hyperprolactinemia?

Common signs and symptoms include: 2. Because hyperprolactinemia in men does not always cause obvious symptoms, it is sometimes difficult to spot. In some cases, headaches caused by the pituitary tumor or changes in vision may be the first sign of the condition in both men and women. 4.

What causes a high prolactin level in the brain?

The increase in prolactin levels can often be directly linked to a tumor, trauma, or infection of the hypothalamus.

How long after fasting can you test for prolactin?

If the levels are elevated, the doctor may want to repeat the test, this time after you fast for at least eight hours. Normal ranges for prolactin in your blood are: Males: 2 to 18 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL)

What are the symptoms of hyperprolactinemia?

The symptoms of hyperprolactinemia in women can vary. When occurring outside of pregnancy or breastfeeding, they may include: Infertility. Galactorrhea (abnormal lactation) Infrequent or irregular periods. Amenorrhea (disappearance of periods) Loss of libido. Breast pain.

Is hyperprolactinemia normal during pregnancy?

While hyperprolactinemia is considered perfectly normal during pregnancy and breastfeeding, it can occur at other times due to disease and medication use. Hyperprolactinemia can affect both women and men, resulting in irregular menstrual periods and erectile dysfunction, among other things. PeopleImages / Getty Images.

What is the best treatment for high prolactin levels?

Conventional Treatment for high prolactin levels. Treatment is usually medication with dopamine agonists such as cabergoline, bromocriptine (often preferred when pregnancy is possible), and less frequently lisuride. A new drug in use is norprolac with the active ingredient quinagolide. Terguride is also used.

How to protect yourself from high prolactin levels?

You can protect yourself from high prolactin levels by addressing the root cause of the disease with dietary and lifestyle changes… . (Pills can’t do that) So the main goal of your treatment should be the elimination of root cause but not getting pregnant.

What is the purpose of blood test for prolactin?

A blood test is used to detect excess prolactin. If prolactin levels are high, more tests are usually done to check blood levels of thyroid hormone. Normal thyroid hormone levels rule out hypothyroidism as a cause of hyperprolactinemia. Doctors will also ask about other conditions and medication use, and rule out pregnancy.

Why is prolactin high in the middle of the forehead?

According to Ayurveda high prolactin levels is a consequence of energy blockage in the brow area or third eye area (a mask worn in the middle of the forehead by Indian women). Any person who always ruminates about the past and worried about the future blocks the energy flow in the third eye area….

Why is prolactin high?

One of the most common is prescription medications, lack of sleep, or extreme stress or strenuous exercise. Sometimes there are more serious reasons for high prolactin levels, including a tumor on the pituitary gland, or sometimes PCOS can also be to blame.

What do you eat to ovulate?

The diet you eat determines how your hormonal system functions, how ovulation takes place………….. You, therefore, take whole foods along with fruits and vegetables especially leafy greens. Also, include in your diet legumes nuts and seeds. You are essentially nourishing your body with nutritious foods….

What is the four step system of prolactin?

The four step system to treat high prolactin levels is predominantly based on Ayurveda and yogic sciences. Ayurveda approach any chronic problem comprehensively and therefore the goal of Ayurveda treatment is correcting the imbalance in the body, mind and the energy.

What are practice guidelines for prolactin?

Practice guidelines are presented for diagnosis and treatment of patients with elevated prolactin levels. and managing prolactinomas in nonpregnant and pregnant subjects. Indications and side effects of therapeutic agents for treating prolactinomas are also presented.

Is hyperprolactinemia a cost effective test?

Testing for hyperprolactinemia is straightforward, owing to the ease of ordering a serum prolactin measurement. Accordingly, an evidence-based, cost-effective approach to management of this relatively common endocrine disorder is required.

How to get prolactin levels back to normal?

Hypothyroidism is treated with thyroid replacement medicine, which should also make prolactin levels return to normal. If your regular medicine is the reason for your high prolactin levels, your doctor will work with you to find a different medicine or add one to help your prolactin levels go down.

What is it called when you have too much prolactin in your blood?

Hyperprolactinemia is a condition of too much prolactin in the blood of women who are not pregnant and in men. Hyperprolactinemia is relatively common in women. About a third of women in their childbearing years with irregular periods but normal ovaries have hyperprolactinemia.

What hormones are involved in the production of milk?

Prolactin levels are controlled by other hormones called prolactin inhibiting factors (PIFs), such as dopamine. During pregnancy, prolactin levels go up. After the baby is born, there is a sudden drop in estrogen and progesterone. High prolactin levels trigger the body to make milk for breastfeeding. In women who aren’t pregnant, prolactin helps ...

What to do if breast cancer is high after second check?

If levels are still high after the second check, your doctor may order a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain to check for a tumor of the pituitary gland.

What herbs are good for a pituitary tumor?

Herbs, including fenugreek, fennel seeds, and red clover. Irritation of the chest wall (from surgical scars, shingles, or even a too-tight bra)

Where is prolactin produced?

Prolactin is a hormone produced by your pituitary gland which sits at the bottom of the brain. Prolactin causes breasts to grow and develop and causes milk to be made after a baby is born. Normally, both men and women have small amounts of prolactin in their blood.

Can you stop prolactin if you are pregnant?

Your doctor will start you on a low dose of one of these medications and slowly increase the dose until your prolactin levels go back to normal. Treatment continues until your symptoms lessen or you get pregnant (if that is your goal). Usually, your doctor will stop treatment once you are pregnant.

Why is my prolactin high?

The symptoms of menopause may also cause high prolactin levels. Other causes of high prolactin levels: An underactive thyroid gland or hypothyroidism, wherein not enough thyroid hormone is produced by the thyroid gland. Chest wall injuries or any other condition that can affect the chest wall.

Why does prolactin increase?

The following medications may cause the prolactin level to increase: Medications for high blood pressure such as calcium channel blockers. Medications for depression such as SSRI antidepressants and tricyclic antidepressants.

What causes prolactin levels to rise?

Acromegaly - Acromegaly is a growth hormone disorder. In this condition, the neurotransmitter called dopamine is suppressed, so the levels of prolactin rise. Epileptic Seizures - Prolactin levels drastically rise after epileptic seizures.

What is the level of prolactin in a macroprolactinoma?

Although a significant elevation of prolactin can occur due to medications, a diagnosis of a macroprolactinoma is having levels of 500 ug/mL or greater . The evaluating physician must decide whether there is a need for a radiographic study if the level of prolactin is greater than 100 ng/mL or less than 250.

What hormone is responsible for breast enlargement?

Prolactin is a peptide hormone. It is responsible for breast enlargement in women during pregnancy and milk production. This hormone is a protein made from amino acid chains. If the prolactin level increases, then it gives rise to the condition called hyperprolactinemia. Expert Answers.

What is it called when the prolactin level in the blood increases?

When the prolactin level in the blood increases and the production of this hormone is in excess, this condition is called hyperprolactinemia. This hormone is responsible for milk production in women. However, elevated prolactin levels can cause problems in men and women. Prolactin is a peptide hormone.

Can pituitary radiation cause high prolactin levels?

Pituitary radiation treatment for tumors. Sometimes, the cause of high prolactin levels cannot be determined. When an individual has an elevated prolactin level in the blood, doctors may order for an MRI scan of the brain to rule out pituitary tumors.

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